How To Replace Your Old Lawn With New Sod
Summer is the best time of year to replace your old, worn out looking lawn with new sod. Applying a new lawn also works as an excellent and convenient alternative to planting grass seed, which could take weeks to germinate. However, theres a right and wrong way to lay down and maintain new sod. Keep reading for proper sodding instructions.
Finding A Lawn Replacement Contractor
You may find it frustrating fining a reputable contractor. Sometimes it’s like they don’t want your business!
That’s why we recommend using a network of contractors that compete for your business!
Use the button above to submit your estimate request, and local contractors will call you. This puts you in the drivers seat!
How To Lay Sod
11/04/2021 01:37 PM
Are you ready to redo your lawn? If so, nothing beats sod grass rolls. Laying sod is an easy, effective way to revitalize your lawn and make sure its ready to sparkle when spring rolls around.
If you are interested in laying sod yourself, our Hydro-Tech Irrigation team walks you through some of the necessary steps below. Read on!
1. Prepare Your Soil for Sod
To do this, you will first need to loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil with a rototiller. Then, spread two inches of finished compost. Next, add 2 to 3 inches of sand to clay-like soil to improve drainage. Finally, based on the results from your soil test, use a spreader to lay down the appropriate starter fertilizer.
2. Level Out Your Lawn
After youve prepared your soil to accept the new sod, youll need to make your lawn levels. To do this, use an iron rake to knock down any high spots. If there are low spots, fill them in so the soil is level and at least an inch below the grade of any paved surface, such as a walkway or driveway. Then, water the soil lightly to dampen it.
3. Lay the First Row
Once youve reached this step, find the longest straight edge in your yard and unroll the first roll of sod along with it. While youre installing it, keep off the sod and rake out any footprints as you go.
4. Add the Next Rows
5. Water It and Stay Off of It
Don’t Miss: How To Kill Creeping Charlie In Lawn
How To Remove Old Grass And Lay New Sod
In order to replace your existing lawn with new sod, its essential to:
- Use a sod cutter to remove old grass and grass roots.
- Till the soil to loosen it.
- Level tilled soil and slope it slightly away from foundations and paved areas.
- Apply a lawn starter fertilizer to soil before you lay sod.
- Calculate the square footage of your yard and order sod.
- Lay your new sod in a brick-like pattern, trimming pieces to fit where necessary.
- Use a lawn roller to press your sod firmly to the soil for faster rooting.
- Water your new sod immediately after installation.
Can You Lay New Sod On Top Of An Existing Lawn Or Sports Field
The Internet can be a tremendous tool, especially when it comes to seeking helpful information. Unfortunately, misinformation is abundant, even in the most unlikely of places. The website eHow may provide a great deal of worthwhile information to consumers, but one contributing writer offered readers some advice that may do more harm than good.
Sodding your lawn is a quick and easy way to replace struggling or dying turfgrass, he writes. Although more expensive than seed, sod can be applied to your lawn in a single day. Sod also requires much less care than sown seed. Most homeowners go to the expense in both work and actual financial burden of removing their lawns before applying sod. Sod, though, can be applied directly over existing grass.
The author went on to write: Professional landscapers often apply sod directly over grass. The sod compresses the grass and limits its exposure to sunlight and water. This quickly kills the already existing grass in much the same way that a brick left on a lawn kills the grass beneath it. When the grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new sod above it. The main nutrient that the dead grass layer provides is nitrogen. Applying sod directly over grass is advantageous because it requires less work. The lawn does not need to be treated with herbicide. Also, you do not need to till your yard.
Green Velvet Sod FarmsBlue Valley Sod Farm
Also Check: What Is Pre Emergent Lawn Care
Retaining Wall Installation Cost
The cost to build a ranges from $3,500 to $10,000. Retaining walls are useful for preventing soil erosion and other issues. They also make beautiful additions to landscaping. They come in a range of materials, and you can extend them to build things like seats and border edges. The type of retaining wall you build can be influenced by the material, soil, and height and placement.
Spread Some Grass Seed
Use your hands or a broadcast spreader to spread grass seed throughout your lawn. Want more power? A slit-seeder cuts little slits in your yard and plants the grass seed automatically.
Before sowing the grass seed, dethatch your yard to expose the soil by a ½ inch, and soak your yard. Start sowing at the edge of your area. Divide the remaining seed and apply half while walking in one direction, and the rest while walking in another. Lightly cover the seeded area with compost and topsoil.
When you overseed is dependent on where you live.
Northern Climates:
Overseed in late summer or early fall to help young grass germinate, establish strong roots, and store food needed for spring.
Southern Climates:
Overseed in the early summer to help it grass grow strong roots and store nutrients right before fall.
You May Like: What Is Pre Emergent Lawn Care
What Does Landscape Maintenance Cost
Landscape maintenance is different than lawn mowing. Landscape maintenance usually includes mowing, edging, weed removal, leaf and debris removal, fertilizing, blowing and maybe even pruning.
Most companies offering this level of service in Portland require year-round service. This means you get around 42 visits a year, with visits being less frequent in the winter. However, you pay the same amount each month. This keeps your bill consistent and allows your landscaper to feed his family protein in the winter.
Expect to pay $200-$400 per month for full landscape maintenance in Portland.
Most landscape professionals in Portland are in this same ballpark. One advantage of hiring a company that offers this level of service is proper licensing. You do not have to be a licensed contractor to do landscape maintenance. However, most of the companies that perform this kind of landscape care have an LCB. This means that they are a licensed, bonded, and insured landscape contractor. They are qualified to do almost any kind of landscaping project- not just maintenance but improvements.
Read Also: How To Price Mowing Jobs
When Is The Best Time To Plant A Yard
We are fortunate to live in California with its relatively mild winter climate in that we still are able to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and tinker in the yard all year long.
Looking for a project to spruce up the front or back yard this winter? One of the best times to plant a new Elite Plus Fescue yard in California is during the cool months of winter. This is counter-intuitive to many who think installing sod during the warmer months of the year will give the new grass its best chance. However, October through April is the best time to establish a Fescue yard.
Sod consists of mature plants which look great when laid down but once the turf is cut from the field, its ability to seek water is limited. It takes a few weeks for the new sod establish roots in the new soil and develop its own ability to find water in the soil profile. With limited roots, heat is an enemy of new sod so it is best to plant during the cooler months of the year.
This wisdom applies mainly to Fescue lawns which remain green year-round in California, which is a feature preferred by most homeowners. Fescue is called a cool season grass because it thrives in weather between approximately 40 degrees and 80 degrees.
Recommended Reading: Best Herbicide For Wild Violets
Roman Chamomile Ground Cover
Roman chamomile costs between $80 and $115 per pound to plant. It is a very low-maintenance and eco-friendly choice that grows in direct sunlight and partial shade. Plus, it gives off a pleasant scent that is similar to that of fresh apples. You can choose to mow a chamomile yard though it is not required. It also requires little water and is a great source of enrichment for surrounding plants. Dont plant Roman chamomile in your yard if you have pets because this variety is toxic to animals if ingested.
Reasons Your Lawn Is Full Of Weeds
Starting out, you probably want to know just why weeds have overtaken your grass, so you can prevent it from happening again.
- Poor grass growth: Weeds thrive in thinning grass. The best way to keep weeds out is to have thick, tall, dense grass all over your lawn. If your grass is cut too short, its more susceptible to a full-on weed invasion. Setting your mower to the highest setting can help with this.
- Not enough water: Weeds tend to have robust root systems, and can easily compete with your grass for moisture. If you are not watering your grass enough, the weeds can absorb what water there is, taking it away from your grassroots.
- Compacted soil: If your soil becomes too compacted, whether from excessive foot traffic or poor soil composition, your grassroots wont have access to the nutrients, water, or air they need. This stressed turf makes for an exceptional weed breeding ground.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Clover Patches In Lawn
Prefer A Different Grass
Another reason to replace a lawn is if you dont like the type of grass. If youve moved into a new home, you may want to replace your lawn with a new type because its difficult to maintain, costly to irrigate, or you dont like its appearance. You can ask a sod specialist for the advantages and disadvantages of each type of grass to help you decide.
SOD REPLACEMENT:
Lawn Replacement Pricing And Installation Cost Checklist
- Get at least 3-5 estimates before hiring a Lawn Replacement contractor estimates are typically free, unless its a service call for a repair.
- Expect the Lawn Replacement prices to fluctuate between various companies each and every company have different operation expenses and over-head.
- Try to get prices in late Fall, early winter you should expect aggressive pricing discounts by waiting for a contractors down season.
- Try to budget and additional 7-15% more on top of what our calculator gives out for Lawn Replacement costs.
- Visit every supply house that sell your particular brand of Lawn Replacement and try to negotiate a better price with each supplier I save on average 20%.
- Remember, there are multiple styled homes in the U.S from: Contemporary, colonial, cape-cod style, ranch, bungalow, victorian, etc. So keep that in mind and try to budget a little more, before starting your Lawn Replacement project.
Also Check: How Much Does An Artificial Lawn Cost
Measure The Space And Purchase Sod
Preparation is key for getting your sod to take root. Start planning a few weeks before youre ready to lay the new sod. Plan to lay sod on a day when the weather forecast is clear. Rain may delay this project.
On the other hand, too little water will also affect sod success. Avoid laying sod during times of drought or water restriction. New sod needs plenty of water once it’s in place. Its best to wait if watering your sod will be difficult.
Before you begin, take measurements of your yard to make sure you purchase enough sod. Landscaping is generally measured in square feet. The easiest way to calculate your space is to walk the area.
The average human step is roughly three feet. It may be less for shorter people. You can measure your step if youd like to be exact. To measure your yard by walking, follow these steps:
- Walk the length of your yard and note the number of steps. Then walk the width.
- Multiply the number of steps by 3 for length. Do the same for width. Multiply by 2.5 if youre shorter or by your exact step length in feet if you have it.
- Multiply those two numbers, length and width, to find the square footage.
You could also use a measuring wheel if youd prefer. Its a simple tool to measure long distances. A measuring wheel will give you a more exact measurement.
Once youve measured your yard, its time to plan your sod order:
How To Prepare The Ground To Lay Sod In Florida
21 September, 2017
Whether you are laying sod in an area for the first time, or replenishing old with new, it will be necessary to prepare the ground in advance. Preparing the ground in Florida for sod installation is an uncomplicated process. Advance preparation of the area will assure the new sod will take root and grow vigorously, producing a healthy lawn. As with all regions of the country, it is important to first select a variety of sod that will do well in your area.
Remove any vegetation or weeds growing in the installation area. Dig or pull out large weeds by hand or with a shovel, being sure to remove the roots. Spray a weed- and grass-killing herbicide over the entire area to kill any low-growing weeds or wild grass. Do not water the area for at least 24 hours. After this time, water the ground to wash away the herbicide.
- Whether you are laying sod in an area for the first time, or replenishing old with new, it will be necessary to prepare the ground in advance.
- Spray a weed- and grass-killing herbicide over the entire area to kill any low-growing weeds or wild grass.
Rake up any dead grass or vegetation from the area using either a hard rake or a regular rake. Dig up sections of dead grass or big patches of weeds so the new sod will be able to make direct contact with the soil. Remove any sticks, large rocks or other debris from the planting site.
Try to walk on newly laid sod as little as possible to allow it to take root.
Related Articles
Don’t Miss: How To Keep Lawn Green In Summer
Cost Of Kentucky Blue Grass Sod
Kentucky Bluegrass is cold-tolerant its perfect for snowy climates and it requires little light. Named for its blue-green hue, its ideal for installing under shade trees. It is not, however, resistant to drought, and it could wither under a scorching sun. An excellent all-purpose choice, it can handle traffic and will thrive in most average soil conditions. Prices range from $0.30 $0.70 per square foot, depending on grade.
What Does Landscaping Cost
Impossible to say, right? There are so many variables and each landscape project is unique. Ross NW Watergardens has done landscape renovations that were just a couple thousand dollars and residential landscapes that were over $900,000. I can pretty much guarantee that your project falls somewhere between those two extremes
But I can do better than that.
In this post I will try to give an overview of a typical landscape renovation with some ballpark prices. Further down is pricing specific to Portland, OR.
This patio and retaining wall was around $8000.00
Recommended Reading: How Much Oil In Lawn Mower
Also Check: Who Sells Murray Lawn Mower Parts
Grass Seed Vs Sod Cost
Growing your lawn from seed is time-consuming and depends on several factors such as weather, sun, and water. This means that if you are starting a new lawn from a cleared area, it may be several weeks to months before you get some results. It may take about two years before you get a filled-in and lush lawn. Therefore, some homeowners who wish to speed up the process turn to sod to help their lawn get results faster.
Sodding your lawn is the process of transplanting developed grass and roots onto your property. The grass is already growing, and the roots only need to reach the soil below to take hold and form a healthy lawn. This gives you instant results from a visibility standpoint, although sod can still be impacted by pressure, sun, and moisture.
The biggest advantage to using seed over sod is the cost. Seeding your lawn costs approximately $0.09 to $0.18 per sq.ft installed, while sod costs $0.80 to $1.80 per sq.ft. If you have a 5,000 sq.ft. lawn, for example, this is a significant cost difference. Planting seed costs between $450 and $900, whereas sod installation runs between $4,000 to $9,000.
Fixing Grade Problems In Your Lawn
When planting a new lawn, take the time to fix any existing grade problems . For minor grading problems, small versions of earth-moving equipment are often available to rent or buy. You can also use a landscaping rake for working topsoil to the proper grade.
Also Check: When To Overseed Lawn In Colorado
Sod Price Per Square Foot
The total to install grass varies based on a wide range of factors starting with the price of sod. It ranges in price from $0.30 to $1.00 per square foot based on the grade and variety of grass.
Sod Prices Per Square Foot
| Sod Type By Grade |
|---|
Sod quality standards vary by state, however, its loosely grouped into categories by price.
